Movement of the Burans had turned out to be something of a puzzle. Huge, specially built cranes were required to lift the Burans high atop the AN-225 or even the VM-T. However, both of the special cranes were in Russia; one at Baikonur, and one at Ramenskoye. One of the cranes had been specifically listed as to be given to Frank on the final, signed contract.
But once one of the cranes was disassembled for shipping, it would no longer be possible to use it to load a Buran. However, if one of the Burans was loaded and flown out before the crane was disassembled, how would the Buran be unloaded in Brazil?
The final plan turned out to be complicated, but the least costly. The huge Ramenskoye crane was used to load the Energia booster, in its plastic pod, onto the VM-T, after which it was disassembled and cocooned for sea travel. The loaded VM-T simply waited at Ramenskoye for the crane to be reassembled in Brazil. The crane and both the Energia and Ramenskaya Burans, now suitably cocooned, were shipped by rail to St. Petersburg, where they were loaded aboard a ship for their voyage to Itaqui, Brazil, just across the bay from Alcântara.
The crane was reassembled at Alcântara, while the Baikonur Buran was loaded aboard the huge AN-225 along with much of the rest of what Paul called his "Buran loot," and the whole lot flown to Alcântara, to be unloaded by the newly reassembled crane.
Once the crane was once again operating in Brazil, the VM-T carried the booster to Alcântara for unloading. The VM-T made several trips to both Moscow and Baikonur, transporting parts, boosters, and other assorted "Buran stuff" in the huge, ungainly-looking cargo canisters built for them long ago.
The Russians had been very cooperative. They had delayed the announcement of his investment in the Kliper/Parom project until the week before the Brazilian lease was signed with much fanfare in Brasilia. In exchange, Frank had leaked advance word of it to several wealthy investors who could be depended upon to gossip to their friends.
***
The voice on the other end of the phone was cheery and very American. "Mr. Weatherly? This is George Thompson, Deputy Director of NASA Civilian Space Programs Relations. You're a hard man to contact, sir."
"What can I do for you, Mr. Thompson?" Frank replied in a neutral tone.
"Well, sir, it's more like what we can do for you. We understand that you are participating with the Russians and the Brazilians on a space venture. Are you aware, sir, that NASA has a number of programs for promoting the civilian exploitation of space?"
"Yes, I am," Frank replied. "My Brazilian friends have filled me in on how your 'partnership' benefitted them."
"Er, uh, yes. An unfortunate situation, that. But we can offer both technical and financial help in expanding access to space. May I ask why you went to the Russians and the Brazilians instead of coming to NASA?"
"I think you misunderstand the situation, Mr. Thompson. I have no NASA-style 'partnership' with the Russians. I simply arranged to purchase their entire Buran project in exchange for an investment in one of their ongoing space projects. Aside from that and some technical services contracted with two Russian companies, there is no 'relationship' with Russia. If you would like, I will fax you a copy of the English version of the contract we signed. You will find that once we ship all the Buran stuff from Russia, the contract is complete.
"As for the Brazilians, I have merely agreed to lease property here at Alcântara. I'm sure your people were watching the signing ceremonies, so they know that once the lease is completed, any improvements become the property of the Federative Republic of Brazil.
"So you see, sir, there are really no 'partnerships' involved, no involvement with foreign space programs except insofar as my launch pad will eventually belong to Brazil. This is my program. It is under my control, and I am paying for it and staffing it."
Thomson sounded a bit nonplussed. "Ah, yes. But still, NASA would be glad to offer you technical assistance. For instance, I understand you have a number of former NASA people working for you. In addition to providing technical assistance and advice, we can help you avoid problems like violation of the technology transfer laws, for instance. I confess I fail to understand why you would not take advantage of services available to you. We could possibly even arrange use of a NASA launch pad, so you could avoid the expense of building one, as you are apparently doing now."
Frank grinned. He was starting to enjoy this. "Mr. Thompson, every former NASA employee I've hired has been specifically required to sign an agreement that he will not, under any circumstances, use any information he gained while employed with your agency in the development of my program. I've already had to terminate one man, who was found to be designing a NASA subsystem into a control design. Actually, at his exit interview, he hinted that he still worked for the agency, and that 'NASA would get me', as he put it. I'm well aware how NASA manipulated the technology transfer laws to damage Brazil's space effort, and to cripple the SeaLaunch project. Frankly, I consider NASA something of a threat.
"Let me summarize the situation for you, and give you freely the information you're seeking. I am planning to use updated 1980's Russian technology to launch a private expedition into space. I bought the Burans because no NASA shuttles were available for sale. I am using Alcântara because it is located on the equator, which facilitates launches, and because the Brazilians agreed not to interfere in whatever I choose to do here. I am using no American technology. My computers are from Japan, and my intranet uses the Linux operating system. The systems that are being designed into the upgrades will use only components freely available on Asian open markets. I ran a computer company, Mr. Thomson. I'm reasonably familiar with the technology transfer laws, and how they can be manipulated. I do not intend this to be an American project, any more than a Russian project, or a Brazilian project. This will be a truly international project, with no debts owed to any nation on Earth."
Thompson's voice turned cold. "I'm afraid that's not really good enough, Mr. Weatherly. America has a national security interest in any entity putting a potentially hostile craft into space. I'm afraid we will need to know much more about your project, its safety and its intent. That launch pad will also be capable of launching missiles, you know."
His voice reverted to the booming friendliness he'd previously shown. "But surely there's no need for threats, Mr. Weatherly. We know you're a loyal American. Why don't you just fly up to Houston, and we'll sit down and discuss it like gentlemen. I'm sure there will be nothing to worry about."
Frank sighed. "I find your threats much more believable than your assurances, Mr. Thompson. I'm afraid my duties will keep me in Brazil at least until the mission launches. I will tell you this much: I plan to launch a spacecraft to intercept the Carter IV comet."
Thomson's voice took on an edge of desperation. "Then let me send a couple of guys down there. You can show them around your place, and brief them on the project."
Frank shrugged. "You can send them down, Mr. Thompson, but the Brazilian military is responsible for security here, and I doubt they'll be interested in letting NASA investigators wander around loose. If you wish, I will send a representative to Brasilia with copies of the contracts I mentioned."
"Why not come yourself? You guys can have a nice chat."
Frank shook his head. "Perhaps the Space Ministry could provide a conference room for us," he said in a purposely doubtful tone.
"Oh, I'm sure the Embassy would loan us a room." Thompson replied hurriedly.
Frank laughed. "I'm sure they would. Complete with a CIA Station Chief and a quick diplomatic flight to the States. No," he continued, "If you insist I talk with these people, it will somewhere where I don't have to fear my own government."
The coldness was back. "If you're not doing anything wrong, you've nothing to fear. And the fact that you do fear your own government tells me that we are right to be concerned. Why else would you go to such lengths to avoid government scrutiny? What are you afraid we'll find?"